Power Rankings: Top groups solidify spots

Contrary to what your reminiscence may inform you, the Rangers have in truth made the postseason since their crushing loss within the 2011 World Series, throughout which they had been one strike away from successful their first championship. One strike away, twice. They’ve reached the playoffs 3 times since then: A Wild Card Game loss to the Orioles in 2012, a five-game ALDS loss to the Blue Jays in ‘15 and a sweep at the hands of Toronto again the following season. So the Rangers have been there. It has just been a while, and they didn’t do a lot of something once they obtained there. You’re forgiven for presumably forgetting.

We deliver all this up, as a result of holy cow, look the place the Rangers are. They have reached the No. 2 spot in our Power Rankings after one other terrific week throughout which they gained sequence over the Pirates and the Orioles, two different stunning groups of the beginning of this 2023 season. And they might nonetheless go increased: They are at the moment solely two video games behind the Rays within the loss column.

Biggest Jump: We don’t imply to pile on right here, nevertheless it should be mentioned: It’s at all times good to take a look at your schedule for the week and see 4 house video games towards the A’s. The Mariners took full benefit, successful all 4 video games after which successful a sequence towards the Pirates to cap off a wonderful week that despatched them up 4 spots, from No. 14 to No. 10. But the actual winner is the smoking-hot Giants, who didn’t simply leap seven spots from No. 23 to No. 16 … they may be proper again within the playoff chase.

Biggest Drop: Remember when the Cubs had been one of many comfortable success tales of the yr? The backside has fallen out on the Cubbies, with a dropping skid that not solely dropped them 4 spots to No. 25 but in addition to the third-worst report within the NL.

1. Rays 39-17 (final week: 1)
The Orioles had been slowly beginning to make a run at them final week, however the Rays reasserted their authority with sequence wins over the Blue Jays (leading to Toronto holding a group assembly) and the Dodgers within the weekend’s marquee sequence. If you had been at risk of pondering the Rays had been merely cruising after their unimaginable begin, you must disabuse your self of that notion.

2. Rangers 34-19 (final week: 5)
The Rangers now have one of the best run differential in baseball after one other implausible week, and it’s value protecting in thoughts that, with the Astros beginning to heat up, the Rangers could should maintain this tempo going for some time.

3. Orioles 34-20 (final week: 4)
The Orioles bumped into the Rangers juggernaut after an exhilarating street journey towards the Blue Jays and Yankees, however they had been nonetheless greater than spectacular sufficient to rise a spot within the rankings. To provide you with an concept of what the Orioles (and everybody else within the AL) is up towards, this unimaginable, thrilling begin would earn them a first-round playoff sequence towards the defending-champion Astros if the season ended in the present day.

4. Braves 32-22 (final week: 2)
The Braves went 3-4 this week, towards the 2 most up-to-date NL champions that aren’t the Braves. The beginning pitching is beginning to grow to be a little bit little bit of an issue; even Spencer Strider obtained hit a little bit laborious this week. They’ve gotten assist from the Bryce Elders of the world, however the strains of all these accidents are beginning to present a bit.

5. Dodgers 33-22 (final week: 3)
The Dodgers didn’t actually have that dangerous of every week. It simply felt like they did as a result of they misplaced two of three in that high-profile sequence towards the Rays. They’re really succeeding with extra smoke and mirrors than you may anticipate from the Dodgers, and also you may marvel if it’s catching up with them. If Gavin Stone retains getting hit like he did towards the Rays, the rotation goes to look much more frayed than it already seems.

The remainder of the sphere of 30:

6. Astros (final week: 7)
7. Yankees (6)
8. D-backs (11)
9. Red Sox (10)
10. Mariners (14)
11. Twins (8)
12. Blue Jays (9)
13. Brewers (12)
14. Mets (13)
15. Angels (16)
16. Giants (23)
17. Marlins (17)
18. Pirates (14)
19. Padres (18)
20. Cardinals (20)
21. Phillies (19)
22. Tigers (24)
23. Guardians (22)
24. Reds (27)
25. Cubs (21)
26. Rockies (27)
27. White Sox (25)
28. Nationals (28)
29. Royals (29)
30. A’s (30)

Voters: Will Leitch, Alyson Footer, Anthony Castrovince, Paul Casella, Mark Feinsand, Nathalie Alonso, Mike Petriello, Sarah Langs, Arturo Pardavila, Andrew Simon, David Venn, Sweeny Murti, Doug Gausepohl, Travis Miller